Lighting help - 400g project

[irbnick]

Here is the project I just started: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/irbnicks-400g-tank-build.447640/


Looking for best lighting option. It will be a mixed SPS, LPS, fish tank. I was looking at the AIs, but I don't want to have to add later, I would prefer to purchase once and right. It's not that I have an unlimited budget, but I would rather get the best I could afford today.

Help? Options?

Thanks in advance - if this is not the right section please point me in the right direction.

 

[lapin]

I have sort of a cube. 5x5x3 . I have 9 kessils hanging over it. Some lower than others. Corals are all doing well. I did use 2 metal media boxes that are mounted on the walls to hide the power bricks. USB fans cool them. It works for me. The lights are hanging from "T" track mounted to the ceiling. I can slide them around to what ever place needed.

 

[Gareth elliott]

8’ x 4’ is heck of a space to light.

I would look at maxspect razor lights i think for the price and what they light, might be the most cost effective led choice. I think you would still need 3 or 4 though.

 

[lapin]

There is a lighting forum section. Im sure you will get responses here. So no need to post 2x

 

[irbnick]

There is a lighting forum section. Im sure you will get responses here. So no need to post 2x

Oh I didn't see it - maybe admin could move it for me. I don't want to repost if I don't have to. Thanks for the guidance.

 

[ZoWhat]

For light spread and PAR..... you cant beat MH.

If you have MHs, you can grow anything you want

A tank that size you're gonna have to lay out some cash. You don't take a Ferrari to Costco for tires....

 

[Dennis Cartier]

I have a similar sized tank that I am selecting lights for (10 x 3 x 2.5). I have changed my mind multiple times on the lights to use (unfortunately after buying all the lights twice before). I am about to order my hopefully last revised light layout.

I am going with AI Hydra 26 HD units. The tank has 30 sq feet of area, so I plan to use 22 x AI 26 HD panels. Yes, this is a sizeable amount of panels, but I want to acheive light coverage similar to T5 but using leds. My chosen amount of panels was based on the number that Stuart Bertram uses over his tank with a similar amount of area.

If the CoralCare units were available in north america, I would use 5 of those, but they so far remain europe only, with no easy way to export.



Dennis

 

[irbnick]

I have a similar sized tank that I am selecting lights for (10 x 3 x 2.5). I have changed my mind multiple times on the lights to use (unfortunately after buying all the lights twice before). I am about to order my hopefully last revised light layout.

I am going with AI Hydra 26 HD units. The tank has 30 sq feet of area, so I plan to use 22 x AI 26 HD panels. Yes, this is a sizeable amount of panels, but I want to acheive light coverage similar to T5 but using leds. My chosen amount of panels was based on the number that Stuart Bertram uses over his tank with a similar amount of area.

If the CoralCare units were available in north america, I would use 5 of those, but they so far remain europe only, with no easy way to export.



Dennis

22 wow I was looking at the same lights and I was thinking 10.

 

[Dennis Cartier]

22 wow I was looking at the same lights and I was thinking 10.

For my tank, I am expecting it to mainly be SPS, so the lights are being spaced to minimize the chance of shadowing. You mention that you are going to be mixed LPS/SPS, so you can get away with less coverage and careful placement of SPS. For a 8 x 4 tank, I would suggest 3 lights front to back and 4 rows left to right for LPS/SPS to a maximum of 6 rows for 100% SPS. I have some bracing that I am trying to work around, so my coverage plan is not as straightforward as that.

Dennis

 

[irbnick]

So starts the rockwork...

 

[Gareth elliott]

So starts the rockwork...

If they dont want to attach i had good luck attaching pieces of tonga branch.

Used super glue and super glue setting spray. After it cured i went back over with epoxy(i think the two fishes brand?). Then let cure for a day or 2. This way the epoxy wasnt supporting the weight while it cured.

 

[irbnick]

If they dont want to attach i had good luck attaching pieces of tonga branch.

Used super glue and super glue setting spray. After it cured i went back over with epoxy(i think the two fishes brand?). Then let cure for a day or 2. This way the epoxy wasnt supporting the weight while it cured.

Thanks for the guidance I could use all I could get!!

 

[AlexG]

My reef tank is 8'x4'x2' and I am running 8xT5s and 4xRadion XR30 G4 Pros and I am getting great light coverage. I have the lights a little higher which helps to provide a better spread.